Disgraced former NFL star Greg Hardy has made a seamless transition into MMA. After going undefeated as an amateur, Hardy made his professional MMA debut on Dana Tuesday Night Contender Series and scored a first-round knockout less than a minute into the first round.
Hardy sent fellow former NFL player Austen Lane in 57 seconds into round one.
See Hardy’s one-hitter quitter for yourself!
Hardy played for the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers before his tumultuous personal life began to affect his playing ability. A domestic assault charge ruined Hardy’ reputation, and eventually, Hardy was sent packing from the NFL.
Rather than seriously pursue a return to football and the NFL, Hardy instead opted to try his hand at MMA as a heavyweight. After racking up a 3-0 record as an amateur, all by finish, and is now 1-0 as a professional.
White’s contender series has launched several UFC careers and has become somewhat of a feeder league for the world’s biggest MMA promotion.
Check out Dana White’s reaction after Hardy’s frightening KO:
The reaction from @danawhite is all you need to know about the power of @greghardyjr… WOW#UFCFIGHTPASS pic.twitter.com/EGJaLzA06s
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) June 13, 2018
UFC signed Hardy after delivering an impressive performance in pro debut:(Via BloodyElbow)
“It’s exciting,” Hardy said of his signing. “It’s everything I could ask for.”
Dana White said Hardy may need experience but he doesn’t have to look a fight somewhere else.
“We’ll figure out how to do that,” White said. “We’ve done this before.
Are you impressed by Hardy’ pro debut? Is the former football player possibly UFC material?
